Has Lance's Charity helped you directly? indirectly? how so?

[runninboy]

I am sorry i searched the forum and could not find anything so i am starting this thread. Primarily i have had alot of cancer in my family and i am concerned and upset about the way Livestrong is always mentioned in such a benevolent way and yet i have yet to see what they claim to do.
More to the point, because of cancer striking most of the members of my family i have spent alot of time in hospitals and oncology clinics. Helping someone through chemo has absorbed alot of my life. My father spent over a decade in chemo before he passed. I have 4 other family members who have battled cancer 7 times between them. I have been in urban hospitals in large cities and small country hospitals in rural communities. Doctors offices & clinics everywhere The only two things from Livestrong that i ever saw since 1999 was a poster with Lances picture on it that someone had placed in a waiting room in a small country hospital. I asked and it was done by an employee and Livestrong had no had anything to do with it. The other instance was a large billboard, again with Lance across the street from a Hospital in Los Angeles.
I have asked at all the places i have been and none have ever had any assistance or contact from Livestrong. Not even magazines for people to read while they go through the chemo(its tough to read the same magazine over & over) no support groups for survivors or care givers. Nothing where i have been.
However i do recall receiving things like yellow wristbands in goodie bags or tshirts at cycling events or 10K's.
It seems to me that maybe "cancer awareness" was merely "Lance awareness" and the "support" is sponsorship of promotional materials at athletic and media events only.
I seriously hope this is not the case and that Livestrong has actually assisted people in some way besides billboards and wristbands. Anyone with any detailed info or personal experience?
thanks

 

[rickshaw]

no

nothing lance has ever done has been any benefit to me or anyone I know.

 

[BroDeal]

It helped me. It helped me understand how cynically manipulative people can be and how easily people can be duped with a feelgood story.

 

[DirtyWorks]

It seems to me that maybe "cancer awareness" was merely "Lance awareness" and the "support" is sponsorship of promotional materials at athletic and media events only.
I seriously hope this is not the case and that Livestrong has actually assisted people in some way besides billboards and wristbands. Anyone with any detailed info or personal experience?
thanks

One of the most memorable descriptions of it is a lifestyle brand.

Without a doubt, someone will post an anecdote to satisfy the question of what they've done to help someone somewhere. One of them might have actually happened.

To be fair to the organization, maybe it's one of those things where one needs to contact them in order to have some sort of service experience?

 

[Race Radio]

They have great parties and make cool shoes and T-Shirts

 

[ElChingon]

No.
No No No No

 

[Criteriums!]

They have have helped millions of people count millions of calories on a diet app for your smart phone!

 

[runninboy]

One of the most memorable descriptions of it is a lifestyle brand.
To be fair to the organization, maybe it's one of those things where one needs to contact them in order to have some sort of service experience?

Well you know when u r knee deep in it, the cancer, the whole thing is it feels like the world has been turned upside down. To expect someone to contact them is insane. Why? well because other organizations have posters up, like local churches, offering their help and support. Small brochures from others, hospice groups. People who are not looking to make money off you but people who understand and just want to lend you their support.Nothing like that from Livestrong. While it is not easy to think straight, at least others have left cards or notices. What am i supposed to do call up Livestrong and say "Hi I have cancer, what do i do now?" It is almost impossible to ask for help when u don't know what to ask for, at least with these others they tell you they will help and they offer it everyday.
When you go in to get chemo the local womens club has knit hats for people, they have their card right there for you to call and just talk if you need to. Different people offering support & guidance. Lance is there at the big media events right where it counts(for him) in your goodie bag tho. I can just see the budget "10 million dollars spent this year on Cancer awareness sponsorship" oh yeah we gave away 1 million t shirts with Lances picture on them. Livestrong.com had them made in haiti and they made 9 million profit.

I have never heard one concrete thing that Livestrong has done
Oh but i have read dozens of postings by people claiming how much they helped when someone they knew had cancer. When i asked for specifics the posters disappear. It's not that i am greedy and feel bad that my family did not get it's share of "Livestrong" goodies. I just wonder if all these people have been duped out of their donations by an organization that basically seems only to exist to market Lance Armstrong. We all know there is a Livestrong.com & Livestrong.org which is kind of strange, one is a charity and the other is for profit. Why share the name and make money off it? do u not make enough money? Something is definitely strange.
While i have people looking at this do me a favor if you can, getting chemo is not a happy thing. My mother could not bear to go into the clinic after about 7 years it was just too depressing for her. So my Dad and i would go and i would try to cheer him up. But it takes a couple hours, you try to talk to pass the time. You pick up a magazine for him but after a few years of 3 times a week u have seen them all .
Please people help out the patients and take some of your old magazines to a local oncology clinic or if you can, give them a subscription. Something with pretty pictures to browse through makes the time go by alot easier.
I wish Lance would have at least sent a calender with some pictures of France, something so small can mean alot. You talk about how pretty the flowers look in the field with the riders in the background and how it reminds you of that vacation you took. Or maybe the snow on the highest part of the Alps is still there and still sparkling white even tho it is July. It takes peoples minds off what they are doing and why and takes them to a different time when things were better and hopefully will be again.
I wish Lance instead of making millions would take a little more time thinking about the people who he could help. Down in the trenches nobody i know has heard from him.

 

[BroDeal]

While i have people looking at this do me a favor if you can, getting chemo is not a happy thing. My mother could not bear to go into the clinic after about 7 years it was just too depressing for her. So my Dad and i would go and i would try to cheer him up. But it takes a couple hours, you try to talk to pass the time. You pick up a magazine for him but after a few years of 3 times a week u have seen them all .
Please people help out the patients and take some of your old magazines to a local oncology clinic or if you can, give them a subscription. Something with pretty pictures to browse through makes the time go by alot easier.

Word. I read a lot of magazine while going through chemo. Luckily I am easily entertained and like reading, so I read a lot of Forbes, Newsweek Business Week, Time, etc. cover to cover. The worst was when all I could find was Sports Illustrated. There is only so much crap about ball sports that a cyclist can take.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Well you know when u r knee deep in it, the cancer, the whole thing is it feels like the world has been turned upside down.

I hear you. I've been there. I agree 100% with the critics.

But, the topic is sure to inspire some intern/cult member to swoop in and make stuff up that actually approximates someone's reality somewhere. Where's gree or fatandfast with a story?

If we're talking appearance fees and working.com/.org scams, then no mercy. For me, this is one of those times where we're talking about bad stuff happening to people on the ground level. I tend to bend over backwards to accommodate even the interns simulating a family member's illness and hiding behind the cancer shield like a terrist... (say terrorist like GWB #43 would)

 

[hiero2]

Word. I read a lot of magazine while going through chemo. Luckily I am easily entertained and like reading, so I read a lot of Forbes, Newsweek Business Week, Time, etc. cover to cover. The worst was when all I could find was Sports Illustrated. There is only so much crap about ball sports that a cyclist can take.

Whoa - don't tell me - ball sports - that's one a' them double entandrays, right?

OP - sounds like you are serious about the cancer. I am sorry to hear that. Unfortunately, if you search the news about Livestrong, you will find reports that is not a very efficient non-profit, meaning they spend very little of what they bring in the actual work they claim they are devoted to. This may have changed, but I do not keep up with these things. I just remember reading, a few years ago, about what a very miserable record of spending they had. I also think I recall a more recent article that indicated they had improved. But you can verify any of this through Google, if you want.

I have been through chemo too - and I hated it. The worst year of my life, the 1st time in my life I ever felt old, miserable miserable miserable poop. It is nasty stuff. I had a hard time fighting it.

However, I came out with these conclusions: traditional Chinese medicine (IF you can find a good practitioner) will offer better help against the effects of chemo than more drugs thrown into the stew by your traditional western docs prescribing the chemo. Acupuncture can have an impact. Depending on the type of chemo, and its affects, the herbs offered by TCM can help. Your docs may not want you using them, so approach this carefully. However, my chemo destroyed my red blood cell production. The acupuncture countered this, to a limited extent, but it was better than the Ritalin the doc gave me. The TCM herbs were better still - and I had the blood tests that proved it - but the docs didn't want to know. But they are not cure-alls, so be careful. They did make me feel better, they did not reverse the side effects of chemo.

As for reading - what about the local library? They will have books on tape, which could be great when you are too fatigued to even read. They might have a hospital book program.

Good luck. I hope things improve. Humor is an excellent treatment - some comedian did this and it made a news splash a few years back. He had cancer and made sure he watched a funny movie every day, and swore it helped. There is apparently some scientific evidence that lends credibility. But having fun anyway! Something you can't often say when you are doing chemo.

Good luck!

 

[pugdog]

What I found intreseting about the LAF was that they were the first I saw who talked about cancer survivors. People who had been cured of cancer were still not able to get mortgages, health insurance, car loans, or were even discriminated against when job hunting. LAF brought that up, perhaps there were others but I don't know about them. When various friends and member of the family were affected by cancer (mostly terminally unfortunately) there was no single site to go to in order to just find out what was going on, and what hope there would be. LAF provides a lot of information.

As for the Livestrong commercial site, I recently discovered I had a fructose malabsorption. Nothing radical in that, specially since there is no particular treatment for it. So I spent days wandering all over the net, finding bits and pieces of information, till I landed at the Livestrong site. Lo and behold, all the information was there! From papers written by researchers, to suggested diets on various sites, the links were all there.

So whilst it's fashionable to slam Armstrong, the many people who work both at LAF and at the Livestrong site should not be slammed. They do a good job and are a good resource. I see no reason why they should be insulted.

 

[zalacain]

They have taken 86 cents of every dollar they collect...

 

[Benotti69]

I think Livestrog provide an excellent service.........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
they service Armstrong's exuberant lifestyle.

 

[runninboy]

So whilst it's fashionable to slam Armstrong, the many people who work both at LAF and at the Livestrong site should not be slammed. They do a good job and are a good resource. I see no reason why they should be insulted.

Thank you for your response. I do not believe i am "insulting " them i think that is your interpretation. I am relating my experience about all the other people who have boots on the ground and working hard to help people. The doctors and nurses that i would ask never had a good word to say about LAF. I am relating the stories of which i have personal knowledge and the attitudes and opinions of the professionals i interacted with. You have friends who have been helped. Good for you you are the first one to offer something concrete.
However from what i gather from your posting that help appears to only exist in the form of information on the website. while i am not minimizing that, alot of my experiences were in small town hospitals in rural communities where people get along the way they always have. Mostly without the internet. Just a few postcards with a phone number and a message of support or a poster with a phone number to call would be so much more effective for people there. The point i was making seemed to be lost on you. When u r in that stark setting, 4 walls and a chair with an IV bag hooked up ANYTHING that is a distraction is welcome. Not for me, I am of an age when i can take it but when u r a senior citizen it is so depressing. I was in one clinic where they had oversize recliners paid for by a local charity. As i would walk by i would see a frail elderly woman being cuddled by her grandaughter while she got the chemo. The worst thing is to be alone in there. People realize this and do something to help it. A website is great and i am glad it helped your friends but for most of the people i have come into contact with they need help with supplies in the trenches. This is like a war where the generals sit in their chateau reading the maps and charting the progress meanwhile the grunts on the ground are fighting tooth & nail while counting the bullets they have left. I am sorry if you think i am being disrespectful, but i think i am standing up and giving AWARENESS to people that are being underserved while at the time being EXPLOITED for publicity. If you cannot see that i pity you.

 

[runninboy]

Oh and btw is there anything significant that your friends learned that was different than the American Cancer Society website?
If so what was it? alot of information on there with alot of resources also. When i looked at LAF it seems that they pretty much do not have anything different. ACS is pretty comprehensive.
just go to cancer.org

 

[pugdog]

@runninboy goodness me! It's not you I'm attacking, and I'm sorry you read it that way. What i was trying to get across to people who decry the LAF is that it is unfair to deny the good things that are being done just because Armstrong is involved.

The time I was hunting for information, the resources that exist now were as yet unborn. I wish the LAF site had existed then. In no way am I ignoring the marvellous work the nursing staff do, particularly when the patients (my family, my friends) were in that intermediate phase when the oncologist could do no more and the nurses had to handle both the grieving and confused entourages as well as the person they had to help. They are etched in my mind, nurses and volunteers who were simply fantastic. The LAF as far as I'm concerned is merely a supplement, but I'm glad it's there. Anything helps, since there is a desperate need to know.

Sorry to be so longwinded, but it's me being emotional.

 

[runninboy]

@runninboy goodness me! It's not you I'm attacking, and I'm sorry you read it that way. What i was trying to get across to people who decry the LAF is that it is unfair to deny the good things that are being done just because Armstrong is involved.

No worries and i agree, no matter your views on Armstrong there are many people working hard @LAF from the goodness of their hearts i would hate to see their kindness and efforts minimized by the failings of one man no matter who.
You can understand my distress at the situation. Especially as i volunteered my time and money for charities and have seen how hard the dollars are to come by and then to see so much money that might not be spent wisely is disheartening. I worked in Hollywood, I would see famous actors jump on a cause AID's in Africa for instance. Madonna, would do tremendous work and raise large sums of money for that cause. bravo. Unfortunately at the time most of the children in Africa would die before ever worrying about Aids, as the biggest threat by far was a lack of clean water. Now people have wised up and realize to prioritize and try to get resources to save people NOW. It's like triage in the ER. Do what needs to be done. I also worked for a charity that eventually collapsed due to alot of infighting but for decades did alot of good. I won't mention their name but their method when i was with them was to research local charitable organizations. They would visit them several times of the course of year. examining their books, look to see how the money was being spent, it had to be well over 75 percent on the children and not other expenses. They would find small charities where everyone donated their time, products and services as they themselves did. Then they would distribute money that they raised to get it as quickly as possible to the people who could best use it. They would have a big fundraiser, food donated, venue donated, silent auctions of a car donated, goodie bags donated. all down the line and show a profit of close to a million dollars and then distribute it to small worthwhile charities that needed money. It worked great for about 5 decades then alot of infighting & ego's. Kris Jenner & Kathy Hilton got involved and goodbye philanthropy, hello personal fame.
I would hate to see such a thing happen again.

 

[Race Radio]

This investigation has been the best thing that could have happened to Livestrong

In the past their main focus was promoting Lance. They wasted hundreds of millions of dollars on money that people thought was going to research to have big parties and promote the Lance brand.

Now, with the increased focus, they spend most of their money on legit programs that help people.

We should all thank Jeff and Travis for helping them regain their focus

 

[DirtyWorks]

@runninboy goodness me! It's not you I'm attacking, and I'm sorry you read it that way. What i was trying to get across to people who decry the LAF is that it is unfair to deny the good things that are being done just because Armstrong is involved.

Hey guys, it looks like the cancer awareness charity is writing the content spam. Obligatory Casablanca reference: "I'm shocked, shocked to find gambling in this establishment!" The separation between the .com and .org is as clear as mud..

The time I was hunting for information, the resources that exist now were as yet unborn. I wish the LAF site had existed then. In no way am I ignoring the marvellous work the nursing staff do, particularly when the patients (my family, my friends) were in that intermediate phase when the oncologist could do no more and the nurses had to handle both the grieving and confused entourages as well as the person they had to help. They are etched in my mind, nurses and volunteers who were simply fantastic. The LAF as far as I'm concerned is merely a supplement, but I'm glad it's there. Anything helps, since there is a desperate need to know.

Sorry to be so longwinded, but it's me being emotional.

Someone shows up with a possibly true anecdote hiding behind the cancer shield. It's like I can see the future before it happens. If only gambling were so predictable.

 

[runninboy]

sorry i put this in the wrong place..
my bad

 

[cyclingwombat]

I do know someone who was at the Tour Down Under and Lance spent nearly an hour in private conversation with him when heard about his illness and was very supportive and inspirational. That said, same guy says he has seen nothing from LAF itself that his own doctor and consultants hadnt already discussed with him. He thinks its farcical that LAF gets so much credit for supporting people,especially when he is being looked after in the Olivia Newton John cancer department at the hospital.

So, Lance is caring when in the mood but LAF is just a tax dodge thats grown into an income source

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

Help? No.

Livestrong hasn't helped me in any way, but of course I haven't needed Livestrong. They have however been a royal pain in my patootie...twice.
Both instances are due to their having interns write much of what appears on their website.

One intern misquoted a written work of mine; changing its meaning to the opposite. I was quoted by name, which made the mistake appear to be mine. A friend made me aware of the mistake, but it took over a year of e-mails and follow ups before the erroneous page was deleted.

The second instance involved a cycling event that I'm involved with. We negotiate greatly reduced lodging rates for the night before the event. Those special prices were posted on the Livestrong site as being the normal rates. Initially the lodge owner was annoyed, then irate and finally downright hostile as again it took over a year to get the bad info deleted.

 

[richardp]

If it had not been for Lance and his wife's advert on UK tv advocating men check themselves for testicular cancer regularly, I would not have caught mine at such an early stage. Because of that, the treatment was comparatively straightforward, and I am grateful for that. Whether the advert was from him personally or part of a campaign by the charity I don't recall though.

Doesn't excuse everything else though.

 

[runninboy]

If it had not been for Lance and his wife's advert on UK tv advocating men check themselves for testicular cancer regularly, I would not have caught mine at such an early stage. Because of that, the treatment was comparatively straightforward, and I am grateful for that. Whether the advert was from him personally or part of a campaign by the charity I don't recall though.

Doesn't excuse everything else though.

Well that is certainly a good thing.I am glad u got a handle on things quickly. It is nice to hear from SOMEONE with first hand experience. It would sure be nice if there were more success stories. With all the PR savy behind Livestrong both com & orgp) you would think they would spend more time on the personal success story.